American sterling will be marked "STERLING" or "925/1000" on the back or bottom of the piece. If you cannot locate one of these marks your piece is either not sterling or may be European or American Coin Silver. Many customer tell us they have silverware stamped "1847 Rogers Bros." or "Wm. Rogers" on the back or underside of their silver. This is silver plate. Rogers Bros and William Rogers mass produced a variety of items and patterns in silver plate from the late 1800s until the 1950s in America.

Coin silver refers to silverware produced in America from early colonial times to just after the Civil War. Items of coin silver produced during this time period are over ninety percent pure silver and were made from European silver coins. It is sometimes difficult to tell the difference between coin silver and silver plate. Coin silver was usually stamped with the first initial and last name of the silversmith. Occasionally, the silversmith also stamped the city and state on the pieces, as well. For example, on the back of a large serving spoon the stamp might read: "P.REVERE BOSTON, MA" inside a large rectangular punch. Often, it is necessary to consult one of several books available on the subject to determine whether hallmarks are indicative of coin silver items.

Flatware is any table utensil used for eating or serving food. Forks, knives, steak carving sets, marrow spoons, bon-bon spoons & lemon forks are all examples of flatware. Hollowware includes pieces used for decoration or containing. Examples of hollowware include roast carving platters, chargers, epergnes, vases, fruit bowls, candelabras and tea sets.

In order to identify the manufacturer of your sterling flatware pattern look on the back of the piece. Compare the mark found on your pattern to the ones listed on our Hallmark Guide.

To identify your sterling pattern consult our pattern guide. If you don't see your pattern in the list start by identifying the manufacturer (see above). Then, do one of the following:

There are three sizes of place settings: Luncheon, Place and Dinner. Salad forks and teaspoons are usually standard and do not vary in size. Most people have what is referred to as "Place Size." To determine the size place setting you are attempting to match or replace, place your fork face down on a ruler and measure end-to-end. Measure your knife end-to-end, as well. If your fork measures 7 3/8" or smaller and your knife measures 9 1/4" or under, then you have either the "Place Size" setting or the "Luncheon Size" setting. For more information please click here.

Knife blades come in four different styles. To match your current style, click here and reference your blade style when ordering. In most patterns it helps to call us to confirm availability in your particular style prior to ordering.

Soup spoons come in two types. Cream soup spoons are slightly larger than a teaspoon and have a round bowl. Larger cream soup spoons are commonly refered to as gumbo or chowder spoons. Most patterns produced a cream soup spoon, however gumbo spoons were more limited in production.
Oval soup spoons, also called place spoons or dessert spoons, come to a point at the tip of the bowl. They look exactly like a large teaspoon. Oval soup spoons should not be confused with tablespoons (or serving spoons as they are commonly called). Click here for samples of these pieces.

Please go to our Caring For Your Silver Page for detailed information on care and cleaning.

Due to the size and constant change of our inventory, we do not offer a catalog. Clients looking to begin a new pattern may call, write or e-mail us for a brochure showing our forty most popular patterns. If you are looking for our inventory in a specific pattern, please consult our on-line flatware inventory. You may also call, write or e-mail us to have specific inventories mailed to you.

We maintain an extensive wish list with the specific desires of our clients. We welcome telephone calls, letters or e-mails from anyone searching for specific pieces. You will be entered in our database and mailed or e-mailed when we think we have obtained the pieces you desire. In the event that the piece(s) you are searching for are extremely rare, you will receive a phone call notifying you that the piece(s) are currently in stock.

For directions to our shop, click here.

As You Like It Silver Shop is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. We are closed on all major holidays.

As You Like It Silver Shop has never sold or purchased a customer list. In the event that you have purchased from us, you may, on occasion, recieve e-mails or letters informing you that new pieces have arrived in the pattern you purchased. Individuals who have requested to be on our wish list will recieve e-mails, letters and occasionally phone calls informing them that new pieces have arrived in the pattern they are searching for. You will never be telephoned by As You Like It Silver Shop or it's agents unless the call is regarding an order you have placed or regarding pieces we have obtained in your pattern and you have requested to be called. Individuals may call, write or e-mail us to have their contact options changed at any time. For more detailed information visit our page on Privacy Policy.

All merchandise is refundable within 30 days from the shipping date. Shipping fees are non-refundable when any item is returned for any reason other than an error on the part of an agent of As You like It Silver Shop. Returns on orders paid for by credit card where the returned merchandise exceeds a total of $500.00 will be assessed a restocking fee at the rate of 15% of the total value of the returned merchandise. Returns on orders paid for by cash, check or money order where the returned merchandise exceeds a total of $500.00 will be assessed a restocking fee at the rate of 10% of the total value of the returned merchandise. Exceptions to this merchandise return policy may be made at the sole discretion of As You Like It Silver Shop when there may be grounds for remittance due to a fault by As You Like It Silver Shop.